354 



THE SCROBICULA 111 A. 



New England. Hen Clam, Sea Clam, and Surf Clam are oilier local names. It is distributed 

 between Carol inas and Labrador. This shell is prized by some, but it is extremely tough ; the 

 eatable part being the stout foot which composes the largest portion of the animal. By this 

 foot the Clam is enabled to plough its way through the mud, and to leap considerably. 



At extreme low tides on the Nahant beaches these clams are found imbedded just 

 below the water-mark. Being so near shore, heavy storms throw up great numbers. The 

 common Clam (Mpa arenaria) is vastly more important, and is prized as an edible in all parts 

 of the New England coast. South of Connecticut, along the coast, although this Clam is very 

 large, it seems to be less palatable, and is consequently less esteemed. The cold waters farther 

 north seem to add a certain excellence to this shell-iish ; and this is noticeable in the case of 

 most hshes. 



SCROBIOTLARTA. Srritbinlaria piperita. 

 SWORD-BLADE RAZc IR-SUEI.L.-S/A n ensis. 



COMMON TROUGH-SHELL— Mactra stutiorum. 

 COMMON RAZOR-SHELL— Solen vagina. 



There are several clam-like shells, having dark colored epidermis, that are found in more 

 northern waters; and some on the Grand Banks, and "Georges." The Glycimeris and 

 Panopaa, we frequently took from the stomachs of fishes caught in those localities. 



Besides these were many beautifully shaped small species, which the cod and haddock in 

 browsing along the shelving rocks of the " Banks" have fed upon. 



Among the most interesting of the bivalves that find a home in the waters on our New Eng- 

 land coast are the Solemyas, Salens, Ensis, and Siliquas. Their beautiful shapes and glassy 

 veiled coverings ranging from the pleasing shades of olive to dark chestnut of exquisite polish. 



TTiracia conradi is a notable shell, looking at first like the venus, but having a singular 

 inequality of valves. One valve is quite convex, the other somewhat flattened. Chelsea Beach, 

 near Boston, was the only locality known on the New England coast during many years. Dur- 

 ing heavy north-east storms numerous valves, more or less damaged, were thrown upon the 

 beach, but in only one instance, during many years of frequent visiting at the locality, was 

 a living specimen found. Dredging in all directions failed to discover them. 



The very remarkable shell from which protrude two enormously long siphon tubes is the 

 Scrobicularia, an example of (he family Tellinidse, all the members of which are notable for 



the length and divergence of these tubes. 



